First Solar Road in the World Opened by France.

A kilometer long road made with solar panels is open in a village in Normandy, in France. It’s part of a $5.2 million and 5 years old project. Though expensive, the project might not be a successful one. However, it does show how more and more people are using their creativity to generate renewable and clean energy.

SOLAR POWERED STREETLIGHTS

Tourouvre-au-Perche – is a small village and municipality of Normandy, France. It was established in January, 2015 and is only 36.20 miles, comprising of 3400 residents. The town is set to start the celebration on its anniversary. And it will be under the solar powered streetlights – which was developed by an inventive technology program.

Segolene Royal – French Ecology Minister – on Wednesday, opened a solar panel road – a kilometer long – known as Wattway in the town. The solar panels are a total of 2800 square meters and with an estimated cost of $5.2 million. The coating on the panels are made of silicon resin – directed to combat traffic. The solar panels were tested before their installation at four carparks.

Credits: Charly Triballeau/AFP/Getty Images

France – in collaboration with Colas – is working towards the manufacturing of solar roads. But first, Colas has to find a way to lower the cost of solar panels’ mass production. The project is expensive to the core.Experts predict a negative result. In fact, a few critics have been vocal about their disapproval.

However, Royal believes that the project is a credible one and we should give it a shot. France is made of 621371 miles of roads. There is a need for a huge energy creation for scaling up the road. Thus, a highly advanced technology is required.

But the matter-of-fact rests on the concept that science needs constant testing before something is functional. So, France decided to work on a trial and error basis to see whether the project works or not – though they have to analyze the production cost and its lifespan. The potential of solar powered roads is great. It leads to an efficient and clean future!